Thursday, May 19, 2016

22 Foods Nigerians Miss Most While Living Abroad

Even though, exotic foods are delicious and enjoyable; once in a
while, some of these foods can make you feel rootless and homesick. We
know it is not easy to bring Nigerian foodstuff abroad. If you try it,
you will be shocked at how people will snigger at your bags packed with
Nigerian foodstuffs at the airport, especially when you have Iru (locust
beans) in the bag.

There are certain foods Nigerians miss most when living abroad.
Although, these foods are not necessarily our favourites, but they
remind us of our fatherland and it is no wonder we get sad when
alternative foods do not meet up with the original ones in taste and
appearance.
Here are 22 foods Nigerians miss most while living abroad:

1. Pounded Yam and Egusi Soup

Pounded yam is incomplete without Egusi soup – melon soup. Pounded yam
is made by boiling yam and pounding it. Nigerians abroad prepare
alternative pounded yam using yam flour but it doesn’t taste like the
original pounded yam. Although, the Yoruba people are known to be fond
of pounded yam, some other Nigerian tribes also love this delicious
delicacy.

2. Tuwo Sinkafa

Tuwo Shinkafa is one of the most delicious foods in the Northern part of
Nigeria. Tuwo is made by soft rice and spicy sauce. The Hausa tribes
love this food and that is why most of them living abroad miss it so
much.

4. Party Jollof Rice

A Nigerian party without Jollof Rice is no party! There is a theory
that party jollof rice are unique. Well, the food has a unique taste and
aroma that is different from any type of jollof rice. Most Nigerians
look forward to ‘owanbe’ parties, simply because of the delicious foods
including jollof rice.

5. Amala and Ewedu Soup

Amala and Ewedu soup is classic Nigerian food, mostly eaten by the
Yoruba tribes, especially people from Oyo State, but it is appreciated
by other tribes.

6. Poundo-Cocoyam and Oha Soup

This mouth-watering delicacy is mostly eaten by people from the Eastern
part of Nigeria, the Igbo tribes. Every Igbo family treasures this meal
and that is why they miss it so much when they are abroad.

7. Adalu

Adalu is a combination of beans and corn, cooked together with
flavourful seasoning and spices. Most Nigerians ate lots of this
delicious meal when growing up, so they have deep love for it.

8. Moin Moin

Moin Moin is a Nigerian staple food which is very rich in protein. Moin
Moin is a cooked bean pudding made from combination of grounded – pealed
beans, pepper, and onions. It is very delicious and tasty.

9. Abacha and Ugba

Abacha and Ugba is known as ‘African Salad’ and it can be eaten as a
meal or snack. Many people eat it as a meal because it is fills up your
stomach just like any other meal. This meal is well-known in the Eastern
part of Nigeria, among the Igbo tribes and they love it.

10. Semovita and Efo Riro

Semovita has become a popular food in Nigeria and it serves as an
alternative for Pounded yam. People who do not want to go through the
stress of pounding yam prefer eating Semovita. Semovita is usually taken
with Efo Riro (Vegetable soup), which makes the meal more delicious and
nutritious.

11. Akara and Pap

Nothing makes your Saturday morning better than waking up to the
sweet aroma of Akara (beans cake) with freshly made pap. This meal is so
delicious and tasty. Nigerians abroad will yearn for it whenever they
wake up on Saturday morning.

14. Kilishi

Well, you may find many alternative dried meat wherever you are, but
Kilishi is the only one that has that unique Nigerian taste, aroma and
spice.

15. Suya

Suya has been called so many names, barbecued meat, kebab and many
others. But Suya is Suya and you can only find it in Nigeria. There is
no definition for the kind of feeling or sensation you get when you take
hot Suya, especially when it is soaked in Yaji (Suya Spice). This
delicacy is utterly delicious that it gives Nigerians
multiple foodgasms.

16. Gala and Lacasera

Gala and Lacasera – there is always a romantic relationship between
these two, they are made for each other. Most Nigerians love Gala and
Lacasera especially when they are tired and stuck in traffic for hours.

17. Agege Rocky Bread

There are different types of breads in Nigeria but Agege bread is
unique. People call it perfect because it has the right amount of
ingredient, not too soft and not too hard. Some Nigerians abroad has a
weakness for Agege bread and they miss it a lot.

18. Boli and Groundnut

Boli – roasted plantain is very tasty when taken with groundnut, it is
truly a delectable snack for Nigerians and that is why they miss it most
when they travel abroad.

19. Asun Goat Meat

Asun is a popular Nigerian barbecued goat meat with pepper sauce. It
serves as an appetizer and always classified as a finger food. Asun is
well-known in the Western part of Nigeria, among the Yoruba tribes. When
Nigerians abroad crave for Asun, they remember their family gatherings
or pleasant memories from home.

20. Nkwobi

Nkwobi, a cooked spicy cow leg is a popular traditional desserts in
Eastern Nigeria. Most Nigerian men visit Igbo restaurants on Friday
nights to enjoy Nkwobi.

21. Nigerian-made Indomie Noodles

Indomie Noodles has become a household name in Nigeria. Every
Nigerian has different ways of cooking and eating their noodles. Even
though, there are other brands of noodles abroad, Indomie noodles has a
unique taste and gives you a homey feeling.

22. Ijebu Garri and Groundnut

Nothing is as soothing as taking Garri and Groundnut with chilled water
in the afternoon. The combination gives a kind of fulfilment that only a
true Nigerian can understand. When you take Garri and groundnut isn’t
there, it just feels wrong.
What food do you miss most while abroad? Let us know in the comment box below.